The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-10-23
AUSTRALIANS RABBIT PEST.
The Devastation Caused by the
Long cared Rodents.


has been made the subject of a recent
report by Consul James M.
Morgan, and the facts presented are
both astonishing and alarming. 1t is
doubtful whether many persons are
aware of the immense loss that has
been sustained in this colony, says the
report, through the ravages of the rab-
bits, but 1t is an undoubted fact that as
much as 424,0G0 has been expended to
clear one estate and keep the pests IN
der, and in many others it has cost
owners large sums, from 915, 900 down
wards.
In addition to the expense incurred
by private owners, shire councils, and
the government, in destroying the
pests, the great depreciation in the
value of land and its grazing capabili-
ties has to be considered. For instance,
the stony rises, consisting of about 20,
OOO acres, and surrounded by some Of
the finest grassland in Victoria, has
been rendered of little value except for
rabbits, the owners of the land obtain
ing small rental from trappers, and
about 4 200 acres were, some while back,
disposed of at the low figure of IL sill
lngs per acre. In the discussions in the
colonial parliament on the introduction
of the late Malice pastoral leases act." "
1t was clearly pointed ou- that the
country (12,000 600 acres) affected by
the bill had been rendered almost use
less and unlnhabltable through the
damage caused by the ruthless invader.
Stations on which smiling hOmesteads,
tine orchards and other improvements
had, a few years back, existed, were
fallen into ruin and deserted by all liv-
ing creatures except the rabbits. Here
where the grass and salt bush in 1875
were sufficient for nearly 100000 sheep,
enough did not grow in 1882 for one
seventh of that number, the loss during
the past five years being estimated as at
least three-quarters of a million ster-
ling, besides Gao, 900 decrease to govern
ment in rents, and f20 600 expended in
destroying the pests. To illustrate the
damage here, cannot do better than
attach the particulars given of a few
stations in the above discussion.
Year 1877, Bruin Station carried &c.
600 sheep, rental $500; in 1879 10 900;
run abandoned; relet under grazing
license for f56. Wonga and Nipo, ouca
carrying 0O00 sheep, rental, 9400; now
not sheep on the run, which was also
abandoned and rect for EGO. Lake
Hindmarsh carried, in 1877, 81, 900
sheep; lost %, 900 IN two years; rent
4700; now 972. Corong, 1877, $4,000
sheep, now 5000; rent, f1,O50, now
ESQ; and several others were men
toned as being in an equally bad posi-
ton.
In the years 1875 and 1876 the produc-
ton of wool in the Malice country was
about 5 600 bales, value 100000. In 1882
this had fallen to 800 bales, worth, say,
&l8,0O0. Eighteen runs IN this district
in the year of 1878 yielded LOO bales in
1882, only 332 bales. The runs were all
abandoned and the land held from gov
eminent under grazing leases, at an al
most nominal rent, by persons who
trusted that something would be done
to improve the tenure under which the
land could be held, and give them an
opportunity and sufficient inducement
to endeavor by combined action to des-
troy the rabbit pest, and render the
land once more fit for profitable occupa-
ton.
Whether the heightened tenure now
given to this part of the colony will en-
able the desired result to be achieved
remains to be seen.
During the past three years the gov
eminent has expended about ESQ 900 in
Victoria on the extirpation of the rab
bit, the principal means used being
poison, such as phosphorized oats and
arsenic mixed with bran and
chat, and bisulphide Of carl on.
The various shire councils in the
badly-infected districts have also
adopted similar means, though in the
majority of cases the rabbit act has not
been strictly enforced, many of the
shires not being IN position to incur
the extra expense necessary 10 do so.
In addition To the means above men
toned, the councils have arranged for
the purchase of rabbit skins or ears and
scalps, and have been assisted by the
Sd. per dozen on ell skins or ears and
scalps purchased by them. From re-
ports published at various times in the
papers and inquiries made, the number
Of rabbits destroyed has been consider
able--at least l57 600 dozen. equal to l.
S64, 900 scalps and ears and skins being
paid for in less than two years, the ST. |
and Swan Hill shlreS being the !
largest purchasers.
In the Colac and Camperdown dis
.rict preserving factory was started !
some few years back and operations (;
carried on with vigor, the factory work |
ng each year for about six months, |
rom March 10 October. and during |
hat period purchasing from $50 COO TO |
100000 rabbits, the price paid being
about IS. Cd. per dozen. These rabbits !
are nearly all obtained from the stony !
Uses and surrounding districts, as they |
;annot be sent TO the factory in proper
from any great distance.
The sum voted this year by Parlia-
nent for rabbit eXtirpation Is s10 Q0O, !
Ind I learn from the sydney papers tnat
n New South Wales no less than e74.-
400 has been voted for the same work,
md in South Australia the amount is
30 COO; so that it will be seen that Vic
ora is by no means the greatest
% fferer. more especially as she is at The
Expense of labor aud material on crown
ands in pastoral occupation, ss we'll as
roWn lands unoccupied.
The number of skins exported from
Victoria during 1888. as near as can be
.scertained. was 4, 600 500, and the area |